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Crossroads of the Mind
by John A. Sexton
Format: Paperback
Publication date: 1st December, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-907179-38-9
Price: €12
John A. Sexton is from the parish of Ogonnlloe in Co Clare. He was educated in the local National School, St Mary’s College Galway and NUIG. He commenced teaching English and History in 1969 in a second level school in Co. Wexford and moved to Scariff Community College in 1970 until his retirement.
He has always been interested in literature and in this collection he uses the style of the 19th century American poetess, Emily Dickinson.
The Ash Plant
(In memory of Uncle John)
He watched it grow with time -
ever present when he passed -
brazen to touch,
unyielding to his grasp -
faithful to the season
when time was an echo -
and autumn winds
drove him to shelter
there again -
in such moments he was reminded -
with firm grasp
it came forth -
root and all -
an instrument to be textured -
paired, pruned;
a work mate when cattle
were herded
and carefully guarded -
an implement to be seen
on mart days -
when it could match progress
with tradition -
It was a good mart -
better than the last one.
